In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 120

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 120

“…What?”

I’m only twelve years old.

Have my ears already gone bad?

I poked my ear with my finger and asked Shannet again.

“I’ll buy you time until you come of age. So hurry up and grow up to become the clan head.”

Shannet was serious.

I could tell just by looking at those eyes.

“…Aunt, really. What are you saying…”

That makes me feel guilty.

I tilted my head and spoke as if I had no idea what she meant.

“You’re a very smart child.”

However, Shannet continued speaking without paying attention to my efforts.

“That’s something everyone in the Lombardi Family knows. Father even brags about you to other nobles and even to His Majesty Yobanes whenever he gets the chance.”

No, when did Grandfather go that far again.

“And you have an eye for talent. You can tell just by looking at Dr. Estira’s example.”

A faint smile spread around strict Shannet’s eyes.

“You also know how to make people your allies. Isn’t that right?”

This time I flinched without realizing it.

The people I’ve made my allies should be just one or two.

“My allies… you mean?”

Shannet had definitely noticed something about me to some extent.

But since I wasn’t sure how much she knew, it was right to play dumb for now.

“Yes. Giliou and Meylon, Larane too, and recently even Creny. You’re making your cousins your allies one by one, aren’t you?”

“Well, it’s better for everyone to get along well.”

I thought she was talking about Cleribane and Beit.

That was surprising.

I secretly patted my chest and took a sip of the milk in front of me.

“And Duke Pellet too.”

“Cough!”

I almost spat milk through my nose.

Shannet smiled slightly while gently patting my back as I coughed from choking.

“I guess my assumption was right.”

“No, it’s not like that… Cleribane, I mean Lord Cleribane is, well.”

“It’s okay. You don’t need to tell me everything.”

Just how much does she know?

As if answering my question, Shannet said.

“I don’t know for certain what secrets you have. But I know that you’re a very special child. And I also know that you love this Lombardy as much as I do, Tia.”

Shannet stroked my head as if she was truly enjoying herself.

“So Tia, you should become the next clan head.”

“…What about you, Aunt? Shouldn’t Aunt Shannet become the next clan head instead of me?”

At my question, Shannet’s eyes widened slightly and she laughed softly.

“Well, I don’t know how these words will sound to you now as I’m telling you to become the clan head.”

Shannet looked at the twins playfully sword fighting with wooden swords in the courtyard.

“I don’t want my children to live the same life as me.”

“The same life as you, Aunt?”

“A life where I had to be wary of even my own blood relatives because of my desire to become the successor.”

Shannet’s face looked very sad as she said that.

Her eyes became misty, as if recalling some moment from the past.

“Ahahaha! I won!”

“Again! Again!”

Then the twins’ laughter could be heard.

Only then did Shannet regain her smile and look out at the courtyard.

“I want them to always live so brightly, honestly, pursuing what they want.”

Shannet said that while looking at me with calm eyes.

“But the position of Lombardi clan head can be the most alluring goal for those who desire it. What do you think, Tia?”

My biggest weakness is my age.

No one in this world would entrust a family to a mere twelve-year-old.

And what I needed most right now was time.

But Shannet was now saying she would solve both of those problems.

She was extending her hand, offering to become my strongest ally.

“Alright.”

There’s no way I wouldn’t take that hand.

Above all, Shannet can be trusted.

Except for Father, she might be the only person within Lombardy that I can completely trust.

I picked up a piece of cookie instead of milk and spoke while crunching on it.

“If you buy me time, I’ll repay you by becoming the most outstanding clan head in Lombardi history.”

“The most outstanding clan head in history?”

“Yes, I’m going to make this family great. Even more than now.”

“Hahaha!”

What a surprise.

Shannet suddenly burst into loud laughter.

This was the first time I’d seen someone who always just smiled laugh like that.

“Yes. Tia, you’ll be able to do it. You will.”

Shannet said while pressing down and stroking my head.

“Then, Aunt.”

“Hmm?”

“Since you’ve decided to trust me, I’ll give you a gift too, Aunt.”

Shannet tilted her head at my sudden words.

“Buergien on the second floor of the orange-roofed house in Lombardi District 8.”

“District 8… You mean the commoner residential area? Buergien who lives there?”

“Yes, that’s right. That person’s identity is the gift I’m giving you, Aunt.”

“Tia, a person can’t be a gift…”

“He’s a check forger.”

Shannet’s words were cut off abruptly.

“As deputy clan head, you have choices, Aunt. You could capture Buergien and hand him over to the guards to face legal judgment, or…”

“Or?”

“You could hire him at Lombardi Bank to make unforgeable checks.”

“Ah…”

Shannet looked at me with slightly dazed eyes and expressed admiration.

“The fact that he created such flawless forged checks definitely means he has tremendous expertise in printing techniques. It would be a waste of talent to just let him rot in an underground dungeon for a few years.”

Punishment according to law is important, but if it could benefit Lombardy, making maximum use of it would also be a good method.

“And if Lombardi Bank’s security improves thanks to that, I think your reputation as deputy clan head will definitely rise too, Aunt.”

Since forged checks circulated once, no one can guarantee there won’t be a second time.

“Of course, since it’s instead of punishment, he’ll have to accept the disadvantage of receiving rather low wages.”

Since we’re forgiving him from going to an underground dungeon, he won’t complain about that much.

“…Yes, I’ll make good use of your gift. But Tia.”

“Yes?”

“How did you find out about that forger’s identity?”

Shannet asked with a genuinely curious expression.

At times like this, my answer is predetermined.

“Trade secret.”

“…Pfft.”

But Shannet covers her mouth and laughs.

“Why are you laughing?”

Was what I said funny?

“It’s nothing.”

Shannet answered like that but couldn’t hold back her laughter.

That’s when it happened.

“Tia! Tia!”

Someone was calling my name desperately while running across the courtyard.

So urgently that even the twins who were playing with swords stopped in surprise.

“Father?”

“Tia!”

I stood up in shock.

“Father, why are you…”

Looking like a beggar?

Father, who I always knew to be neat, tidy, and stylish, clearly hadn’t washed properly for several days.

With a grimy face, completely wrinkled clothes, and a messily grown beard.

But Father didn’t care about such things and ran over to embrace me tightly.

Of course, avoiding my injured areas.

“I’m sorry Father was late… I was late finishing work. Sorry, Tia.”

“It’s, it’s okay.”

I patted Father’s large back.

“Is our daughter alright? It doesn’t hurt too much?”

Father asked while carefully examining my face and entire body with teary eyes.

“Ah! My shoulder is fine now! I even had the stitches removed last week!”

“St, stitches…”

Father swayed for a moment, then spoke as if he had made up his mind firmly.

“Right, now that Father is here, it’s okay. Father will take good care of you with nutritious things!”

“Yes, Father!”

He must have been extremely worried about me.

As soon as he finished work in the Southern Region, he probably took a carriage back to the manor without sleeping or resting.

Our father really can’t be stopped.

I faced Father and giggled.

“Oh my, while I was away, our Tia’s face became half its size…”

That sounds more like Father’s story than mine.

Then, Shannet, who had been watching our father-daughter reunion from the side, called Father.

“Gallahan.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Go wash up. Unless you really want to make Tia sick.”

Shannet said this while gently pulling me away from Father.

“What? Ah, understood!”

Father quickly stepped back half a step from me at Shannet’s words.

“Let’s have a meal together after you wash up. You probably came running straight here without even greeting Father first.”

“Haha. I was in such a hurry…”

“Then I’ll send word to Father to join us for the meal.”

“Yes, sister! Tia, Father will wash up and come back quickly!”

After Father took what must have been his first bath in days and returned to his familiar appearance, we had lunch.

Shannet also called Lorels’ family who had remained at the manor to join us for dinner.

It was disappointing that Larane couldn’t join us, but since Biejie wasn’t there, it had been a long time since Lombardi people sat together without anyone frowning.

And so that eventful day passed.

After finishing my preparations for bed and returning to my room, I saw an envelope placed on my desk.

[To Tia]

It was a letter from Peres.

“He must have arrived safely at the Academy.”

He said he would send a letter as soon as he arrived.

It was unavoidable given the great distance between the Academy and Lombardy.

[To Tia.

It’s the first night after arriving at the Academy.

We were each assigned individual rooms, and everyone is complaining that the rooms are too small.

But I’m fine with it.

Compared to the pavilion where I lived alone, this is quite satisfactory.

Thanks to the Academy’s consideration, Kaitlin and Kaileus were able to get rooms on either side of mine.

(omitted)

Maybe because it’s in the mountains, this place is very cold.

In the morning and evening, you can see your breath.

Fortunately, it won’t be cold where you are, Tia.

(omitted)

Starting next week, I’ve decided to begin Swordsmanship Department classes.

If I have time, I’d like to take Politics Department classes too, but I’m not sure how that will work out.

(omitted)

There are so many different kinds of people here.

And surprisingly, there seem to be many people who are friendly toward me.

Maybe I can make friends here too?

Time has already gotten this late.

It’s now lights-out time.

I’ll end the letter here.

Don’t get sick. Make sure to eat your meals properly.

I’ll wait for your reply.

Missing you, Peres.]

“Why did he send such a long letter?”

One, two, three…

Counting them, it was a long, long letter totaling six pages.

Among all the trivial daily stories that filled the letter, one thing was clearly evident.

“He’s excited right now.”

Peres was definitely adapting well to the Academy.

“If I don’t write back right away, he’ll sulk again.”

I immediately picked up my pen and began writing a reply.

[To Peres

I’m glad it seems like you’re adapting well at the Academy.

I’m living similarly every day.

Have you made many new friends?

Sometimes tell me about your new friends too.

I’m curious about what kind of people you’ll befriend.

And… ]

Peres and I steadily exchanged letters.

I even had to prepare a large box to store the letters.

Later, even the small gifts that Peres sent accumulated, and that too quickly became full.

As time passed like this, the letters began to pile up abundantly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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